Got Parasites?

If you have had long term digestive distress including diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, bloating, nausea, constipation, fever, weakness, weight loss, fatigue, yeast overgrowth, vitamin deficiencies, or food sensitivities, then you may have intestinal parasites.

We can get parasites from food, water, as well as contact with pets and the environment. Having parasitic infections are more common than you might think. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found one or more parasites in one out of six randomly selected people. More than 100 different types of parasites have been found in Americans.

If you suspect that you may have parasites, talk to your doctor about doing a comprehensive digestive and stool analysis, which can screen for parasites. Medications for parasites can be hard on the liver and can disrupt intestinal flora. Herbal remedies on the other hand are very effective against parasites, but they work more slowly than conventional medications.

An excellent herbal kit that addresses parasites is the Wormwood Kit by Hanna Kroeger. It is best to do this parasite cleanse for at least four weeks, which is the reproductive cycle of most parasites. This addresses the adult worms as well as the eggs. The Wormwood Kit contains three products: Wormwood Combination, Cloves, and Black Walnut Tincture. These formulas contain anti-parastic herbs that work together to enhance digestion, kill parasites, eliminate their toxic waste, and help pass parasites from the body. Beyond taking the Wormwood Kit, I also recommend taking a high potency probiotic product to replenish healthy digestive flora.

For further reading, consider picking up a copy of Ann Louise Gittleman’s book, Guess What Came to Dinner? Parasites and Your Health. She has a great questionnaire that can help you determine if parasites are the root of your health problems.

Article written by Margo Gladding, MS, CNS, LDN for Ellicott City Pharmacy.